Sometimes one must suffer in order to save what can be saved: your vocation, independence and integrity,” said Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz in a homily delivered during Mass at the Archcathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Warsaw celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Supreme Court.
The Mass was attended among others by Professor Małgorzata Gersdorf, First President of the Supreme Court, and by her predecessor in this position in 1990-1998, Professor Adam Strzembosz. “Wisdom prevails”
In his homily, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Cardinal Nycz, said that when he was planning this Mass several months before, “nobody expected the Supreme Court to find itself the object of so much interest during its anniversary celebrations.”
“No one thought the Court would find itself in a situation of such deep concern for the institution itself and for its people, and such anxiety about its future. And in this context – in spite of everything – of deep hope that wisdom prevails and that in this case it will also triumph,” said the Cardinal. He added that during the Mass he prayed to God “that foundations in what we call the tripartite separation of powers and service to the state and to the people, should not be shaken.” He mentioned the upcoming celebration on Thursday of the memory of Saint Wenceslas, the Czech king who became a martyr, because “he stood by his convictions and his just decisions. Saint Wenceslas gave his life for his convictions and today he is a model for us of the integrity, commitment and strength needed to defend one's beliefs and principles,” said Cardinal Nycz.
“Sometimes one must suffer to save what can be saved”
He quoted a letter of St. Peter the Apostle: “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed,” and said the words applied to every person in the Cathedral who served the homeland “in the station given to you by society.” He also recalled other words by the Apostle: “Try to save justice.” He stressed that “one should do everything possible to keep a clear conscience and remain faithful to one's beliefs. Sometimes one must suffer in order to save what can be saved: your vocation, independence, integrity,” said the Cardinal.
He added that the struggle to preserve one's freedom and inner independence is another dimension of the same issue. “No one can take this away from you. It is important that inner independence and external freedom be consistent with each other,” he stressed.
Cardinal Nycz recalled the beginnings of the Supreme Court, when representatives of the “slowly emerging state and the first president of the Supreme Court” met at the Warsaw Archcathedral.
He noted that the Supreme Court was established one year before the independent Polish state became reality. “The wisdom of these people manifested itself. We can learn this wisdom today from those who created the Supreme Court,” stressed Cardinal Nycz.
In conclusion, Professor Gersdorf thanked Cardinal Nycz for the Mass. “We need it very much, because we live in times that are difficult for us. It is a signpost, and it tells us what to do and how to do it,” she remarked.
Draft legislation presented by the President
On Monday, President Andrzej Duda presented his draft bills on the National Council of the Judiciary and on the Supreme Court. The latter introduces the possibility of appealing to the Supreme Court against a legally binding decision of any court; it stipulates that Supreme Court judges should retire at the age of 65, though they may ask the President for an extension of their right to adjudicate; the bill also mandates the creation of a Disciplinary Board, which would include jury members.
The Supreme Court was created on 1 September 1917, more than a year before Poland gained independence, under regulations on the provisional establishment of Polish courts. The founding ceremony was held at the Palace of the Republic, and was preceded by a Mass at the Warsaw Archcathedral. The Supreme Court became the highest court of appeal in the newly established judiciary branch in Poland. Stanisław Pomian-Srzednicki became First President of the Supreme Court.
Currently, the Supreme Court is the highest authority of the judiciary in Poland. It supervises the adjudicative function of common and military courts, and performs other functions defined in the constitution and other legislative acts.
Źródło: tvn24.pl/tłumaczenie Intertext.com.pl